Fifty-eight men from the village served in the armed forces during the First World War, of whom twelve lost their lives.

Even before the war ended, the village was making plans to commemorate the fallen.

On Friday, 8 February 1918, a whist drive and dance in the schoolroom raised £12 18s for the village Memorial Fund.[1]

This seemingly simple social gathering was, in reality, part of a communal response to the devastating tragedy of war.

The prize-winners were as follows:

Ladies-1. Mrs Genge, Manor Farm; 2, Miss B. Voizey; 3, Miss Irish.

Gents-1. Won by a lady; 2. Mr Willie; 3, Mr George Shire.

Miss N. Vassall, Mrs Coleridge, Mrs Hayward and Mrs Axe gave the prizes.

                                                                                                                

Notes on the people

Mrs Genge – Lilian, the third wife of Abraham Genge, the tenant of Manor Farm

Miss B. Voizey – Mary Beatrice Voizey, the second daughter of Thomas Voizey of Marsh Farm (and sister of Gladys Rawlins).

Miss Irish – the sister-in-law of Leonard Purchase, who by then was serving in the Royal Navy.

Mr Willie – Mr Willey of South Farm, Coker Hill.

Mr George Shire-a farmer of East Chinnock and later father of Betty (1923-1991) who, in the 1970s, along with my father and I, used to help Jack Perrett of Broad Farm with his haymaking.

Miss N Vassall – Ellen Vassall, known as Nellie, of Hurst Manor, Martock, fourth daughter of the former rector.

Mrs Coleridge – Mrs Grace Coleridge (nee Hayward), the widow of Richard Coleridge. In 1921, she married William Hunt.

Mrs Hayward – Mrs Coleridge’s sister-in-law.

Mrs Axe – the wife of Bertie Axe, sister of Thomas Voizey and aunt of Mary Beatrice Voizey.

References

[1] Western Chronicle, 15 February 1918, p.9.